Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea, BGC


One thing I missed trying out in Taiwan when we went there last year was to have milk teas!

Duh!

I do know for a fact that the milk teas that first started out here in Manila was inspired from the owners visit to Taiwan.  The next thing we know everyday, a new milk tea place would pop up in one corner or a mall or even in our streets.

So when I heard of this specific brand that unbeknownst to us have just landed in Manila.  They probably have more than 3 branches to date or more as it became  a go to replacement for coffee.  When I went to Juifen, Taiwan, I was able to embrace their tea culture and Oolong black tea have been very famous to Taiwanese.  

Likewise, in Manila, the love for tea and milk teas have grown to an ecstatic heights, and welcome Yi Fang is never odd.

I love the store front of Yi Fang as if we were actually in Taiwan, add to that the Chinese who were also lined up before us.


Milk tea drinkers like me and my daughter just couldn't help but give in to this trend, so we drove to BGC before going to church and seeing just a couple of people lined up on a Sunday, made me jump up from the car and made way to the streets were Yi Fang is, my husband on the other hand, the driver had to go around to wait for us as parking is far from the area and why would we park for a short time of waiting for our first Yi Fang drinks.


Brown Sugar Pearl Milk Tea without the pearls

However, I found this mix a bit too sweet for me, even if I had it with only half of the sugar.  I can't find any signature notes to compare to other milk teas around.

Their pearl and other sinkers get to sold out easily too.


Yi Fang Signature Fruit Tea

What I love about this drink are the fruits that are mixed in the tea.  This one is the fruity tea infused with three or more kinds of fruits, I love the passion fruit so I just got to try it.


The teas were quite affordable concerning they claim authenticity.  They have a lot of choices and will make sure to try the other variants next time.

When buying prepare to wait for 15 minute upon your order is placed.  Bring an umbrella as you'll be qeueing along the pavement and it gets  hot or you know just in case it rains.  Bring your patience badge too!



Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea

Address:  Ground Floor, Wumaco Building, 
                Bonifacio High Street, 7th Avenue Corner Lane P,
                Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato 

Win a Trip for Two to France at the Marketplace by Rustan's World of Wine Fair



It's time to uncork and unwind!

Marketplace by Rustan’s is curating the best in wine under one roof at the World of Wine Fair from September 28 to 30 at the Shangri-La Plaza Grand Atrium. Featuring premium wines sourced directly from estates and sold at exclusive rates, the event boasts selections from 8 different wine-making countries, including Italy, France, USA, Chile, Argentina, and more. Shoppers will also have the special opportunity to learn more about wine culture from 15 of the most respected international winemakers and wine experts in the business.

Soban K-Town's Mega Meat BBQ Set


Do you want to know how comforting a meal is at Soban K-Town Grill?  Or let me rephrase that, do you know how comforting it is to have a fun yet economical trendy Korean BBQ meal with the gang at Soban K-Town Grill?

Allow me to enlighten you then.

Monday, September 24, 2018

Poison


I've promised myself to be good to my self, to live a healthy lifestyle, to give up on stressful factors of life and to surrender all to my God. 

But...

I still succumb to poison.

Wait...

Lydia's Lechon Rolls Out Soon-to-be Family Fave Dishes


I could  still remember how the brown crystal-like skin of  pig crackled when hit by a butcher knife.  Would I fear either the browned pig with steam coming out of  the meat or the huge ugly guy murdering the pig?  That was my first encounter with lechon, and I still could remember how we strolled on the gutter of some streets in Baclaran with people offering us this piece of meat to try with an odd head of a brown pig with an apple crunched in its mouth.  But this I couldn't also forget, how we ended up in a karinderia with lechon paraded on the side of this joint.  I still don't know how to read properly at that time, but the place stuck in my memory bank forever, as it was my first time to eat a lechon.

Friday, September 21, 2018

Duty Free Philippines and TESDA Relaunched Kabuhayan Shopping Program for OFW/Balikbayan


Being an OFW daughter, I've grown accustomed to Duty Free-bought pasalubong and I've often disregarded the benefits of Duty Free or tax-free stores and have thought of it as like regular shopping stores, but with imported products and Balikbayans' are only qualified to shop.

My father have been working abroad since my youngest brother had been born, I could hardly do the math but it probably would be more than 30 years. My mom left for Italy since I was 12 and up until now, eventhough she is not working there anymore, she's still living there.  I could still remember how excited we would be if some relatives would come home from outside the country and would invite us to shop with them at Duty Free.

Woven Voyages: 8th LIKHANG HABI TEXTILE FAIR 2018


What does it mean when you buy something made locally? 

According to the author of the book Going Local, Michael H. Shuman, "when you buy local, it means you are nurturing locally owned businesses, which use local resources sustainably, employ local workers at decent wages and serve primarily local consumers. It means becoming more self-sufficient and less dependent on imports. Control moves from the boardrooms of distant corporations and back into the community where it belongs.”

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Goto Believe, Stepping Up the Lugaw Game


I first knew about Goto Believe when I watched Pop Talk a couple of months ago.  After seeing how they managed to put more fun in their typical Goto, I asked my foodie partner slash IG husband to look for it and try them.  Goto, as comparable to Lugaw and Arroz Caldo, is a rice porridge (also known as congee) cooked with ox tripe.  It has that distinguishing meaty taste with a hint of beefy and garlicky flavor and may tend to be heavy on cholesterol, so, there, I warned you.

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

SM Hypermart's #AwesomeStreeFoodFest Is Back and It's the Biggest By Far


SM Hypermarket has brought back the biggest street food festival event for the third straight year, and of course, how can I resist the magnifique event.  It's a  grand showcase of the Philippines’ best brands, favorite street food, and hottest celebrities, the SM Street Food Festival is the perfect place for anyone looking for good food, great promos, and awesome experiences with friends, family, and the stars.

At this event, I found (and brought home my family's favorite food products, and newly-discovered food innovations.  Brought home food good for two days, for the three meals including snacks.  If I had a fridge with me, I'd bring home a lot! LOL!

Monday, September 17, 2018

On National Heroes Day, LG Honors the Injured Liberators of Marawi with a Donation to the AFP Health Service Command


On its 30th anniversary, LG donates air conditioners, washers, TVs and a refrigerator to benefit Marawi soldier casualties and other injured soldiers at the Victoriano Luna Medical Center.

In the spirit of National Heroes Day, LG Electronics reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to providing assistance to the community with a donation-in-kind to the Victoriano Luna Medical Center (VLMC), a government hospital that provides sanctuary and support to injured soldiers, including those who suffered casualties in the Marawi siege.

Sunday, September 16, 2018

Taco Shack, A New Place in Tagaytay for Good Tacos and More


A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I drove all the way to Tagaytay just to have a little "us time," away from all parenting despondency.  It was the start of the long weekend with a Monday holiday so as expected, there was the horrendous traffic.  With a long weekend on the rise, people seemed to run to Tagaytay for a quick getaway from Manila. 

And well, we were two of those who exactly did it.

We stayed in Kasa Luntian for one night without any plans at all. We left home at 2 Pm and and got there at 5 Pm.  With check in a breeze, we decided to go out and have dinner outside.  To our surprise, it was hard to get seats to the restaurants we visited and parking was worst.  

You may check out these links below, for must-try Tagaytay restaurants and cafes:

Charito by Bag of Beans






Adding to the list of our favorites is Taco Shack, which is fairly new to us, or maybe we have not visited Tagaytay for quite some time mow.


We decided to dine here as it was easy to locate, just a stone throw away from the rotunda.  It was the only restaurant that had no cars lined up in the parking just in front of the resto, so we just crossed our fingers that the food here is good enough.  From the outside, Taco Shack looks nothing special.  Just another Tex-Mex joint trying to put off a good impression.  What was off to me was the huge menu board placed unpleasantly above the order window.

I mean, they could do way better, like putting to use better photos and nicely printed fonts, it however helped us to order.  Let me also add to that, the menu was cheaply made.

Talking about the menu, it's a mix of Tex-Mex, Filipino and Asian dishes.

Ordered the Sizzling Sisig (photo above) over the Lengua for the husband and had Mexican Beef Taco.


Was so excited about this beautiful bowl of Mexican Beef Nacho.

I was impressed by the serving size as equated to it's super affordable price of P 72.00.  I mean, how can you go wrong with the perfectly cooked crispy nacho bowl, nesting huge servings of Mexican Chili with loads of lettuce and tortilla chips all blanketed with a velvety melted mild cheese.

I love the flavor of the chili, btw, fancy enough for my palate and serving can be good for two persons.


Another gorgeous item on their menu is their Pizzadilla, a portmanteau of pizza and quesadilla.  It's thin enough to be the thinnest pizza with a punch.  I mean, i't heavy on the stomach and full of cheesy and buttery flavor, with a hint of garlic. Perfect for beer (I guess) or wine!

You have to eat it hot as it's a bit chewy when gotten cold.

I mean, I'd  go for this any day over chips! 

If asked if  I'd still go back here, I'd say YES!

The service is ok, the food didn't take that long to serve, fall short on ambiance though. Would love to try some other stuff and their Shabu-Shabu.  I heard this place also has a commanding view of the famous Taal Lake and Volcano over at the rooftop.  




TACO SHACK
Address: 2 Unit E
                Tagaytay-Calamba Rd., 
                Tagaytay City

Taco Shack Asian Taqueria Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Kasa Luntian, A Tagaytay Respite


These days, the pleasure of family time is one of the most treasured aspects of my life. Unfortunately, for many, even those with close family bonds,  such intimate moments are becoming fewer and farther in between.  With two adult kids, two teens, I can't seem to plan out perfectly a vacation to bond with all of them without ruining each one's vibe.  I'm sure, if your a mom who have teens or adult kids might be able to relate.

Last summer vacation, I realized that I had a lot of blogging projects and I wasn't able to plan my kids' vacation well for them.  So, to compliment that I depended on Deal Grocer's budget friendly vacation promos, and to be more honest, I was actually lured by the website and it's been a while since we had to stay in Tagaytay.

Dine in Ultimate Sophistication as Newport Mall Launches PH’s 1st Truffle Festival at Resorts World Manila


During my visit to Milan and some towns in the Tuscany region, I made sure to stuff myself with all the truffle dishes I could get my hands with, and I also took home loads truffle infused butter and oil. In fact, I bought Italian foods more than any other things.

Read my Italian exploration at the link below.

Gastronomybyjoy in Italy

In keeping up with my new-found love for truffle, I'm sharing with you this news where you too can enjoy truffle without even buying an plane ticket to Italy.  Enjoy truffle heaven at Resorts World Manila.

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

AGREA Hosts Leaders and Entrepreneurs in Agriculture Forum (LEAF) 2018



“The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings,” as said by Masanobu Fukuoka, a wise Japanese farmer and philosopher, who believed in and advocated natural farming and re-vegetation.

In the face of climate change and rising populations, most would consider agriculture a “one-way ticket to poverty.” Yet with new technologies and curious mindsets, professionals from all disciplines are stepping up to the challenge of food security in the 21st century. In Asia and the U.S., farmers are increasingly using drones for crop monitoring. Meanwhile, city residents from Bangkok to New York have developed urban gardens. Viewing agriculture as a field with abundant possibilities on and off the farm, these emerging leaders are expressing loud and clear: the future of farming is now.

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Recipe: Parmesan Cheese Muffin


For those who know me or have been reading my blog, you may know how I do things with some recipes.  Of course, I stick to some of them, but more likely than not, I'll be altering some of the ingredients.  Just like how I played with my mother's baking ingredients when I was just a kid.

So, allow me to add another experiment, which was successfully yummy, btw. 

How Pizza Grigliata Emerged Like Other Unicorn Brands?


What I really love about a food business, not just their food of course, is the story that makes up the brand, something that can connect to the consumers, thereby meeting their needs. I'll try my best to state some marketing facts in this article without being too deliberate, as I myself is still beguiled by the current state of our food industry, even as a business owner myself.


Learning From Unicorns

Let me ask you something, have you heard of unicorn branding?

I'm sure you know unicorns. They are beloved mythical creatures that look like a horse but dazzlingly adorned with a single horn on his head.  With my recent chat with one of the owners of Pizza Grigliata, Chef Emman Galvez, I've learned that the seeming fantasy creature is now a metaphor in the business world.  It stands as a reference to highly successful start-ups as coined by a US venture capital investor Aileen Lee. 

Sunday, September 2, 2018

Sample FREE Premium Wines and Spirits at The Tasting Corner of SM Markets


For a limited time only, you can sample some of the most iconic premium wines and spirits in the world at the Tasting Corner in selected SM Markets.  This innovative new concept is the first of its kind, and a rare experiential opportunity for those who are curious about premium brands to sample these drinks in their “perfect serve”.

Amp Up Your Hotcake-making Skills with #MAYAHotcakeArt and WIN P 20,000 Maya Products


Whether it be breakfast, lunch or meryenda, hotcakes do not fail to bring sheer joy to the family.  Now that making hotcakes is as easy as  1-2-3 with Maya Hotcake Mix, even kids can make it and preparing them can be as much fun as eating them. With a little imagination and a few additional ingredients which you usually have at home, you can quickly transform your typical breakfast staple into art.

Saturday, September 1, 2018

Encima Roofdeck Bar


It's not like Mexican or Mexican fusion is all that hard to find in Makati, but Poblacion always make sure you have different places to visit every day.   But my favorite by far is Encima Roofdeck Bar, located atop City Garden Hotel Makati.